Row marker



Jan. 8, 1963 D. H. YERKES ROW MARKER Filed April 4, 1960 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Jan. 8, 1963 Filed April 4, 1960 D. H. YERKES ROW MARKER 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 64 70 54 55 United States Patent C) r 3,072,200 ROW MARKER Dean H. Yerkes, La Crosse, Wis., assignor to Allis- Chalmers Manufacturing Company, Milwaukee, Wis. Filed Apr. 4, 1960, Ser. No. 19,854 13 Claims. (Cl. 172-126) This invention relates to agricultural implements and more particularly to an improved fold-up row marker for planters or like implements.

Row markers that fold laterally are known. See for example U.S. 1,911,218 to White wherein a row marker is folded laterally.

Conventional nonfolding markers mounted on four and six row planters are relatively long. Due to their length, they present overhead and lateral clearance problems when turning at the ends of fields, in storing the planter, and in transporting the planter.

The long conventional marker arms also present a safety hazard. There is the possibility of the raised marker arm being accidentally unlatched and injuring someone as it falls.

These clearance and safety problems are considerably reduced by the use of a lateral folding type marker which folds into a compact unit close to the implement.

However, lateral folding type markers also present certain problems. When the marker is being extended or folded, the marker disk drags along the ground and can become twisted or damaged. It also makes an undesirable rut. If the marker is constructed so that it doesnt drag along the ground, then the construction is such that the marker disk cant float vertically to follow the uneven surface of the ground.

Some lateral folding row markers have employed a spring arrangement to aid in extending and in folding the marker. However, Where a spring arrangement is used, the spring exerts and upward force on the marker when in its extended operating position, and this results in reduced penetration of the marking disk. This also limits the vertical float of the marker disk and its ability to follow the uneven surface of the ground. And, in the raised folded position, the spring tends to hold the end arm of the marker in a partially unfolded position, thus increasing the overall folded width of the planter implement.

It is an object of this invention to provide an improved row marker of the lateral folding type, that will permit the marker disk to oat vertically, and still can be cornpletely folded up to reduce the implement width.

It is another object of this invention to provide a construction for a row marker of the lateral folding type, that will permit the marker disk to float vertically, and also will permit the marker to be folded without the marker disk dragging along the ground.

It is also an object of this invention to provide a row marker of the lateral folding type that is simple in construction.

Other objects and advantages will appear from the following description considered in conjunction with the attached drawings, in which:

FIG. l is a view of a row marker in its extended position;

FIG. 2 is a View similar to FIG. 1 showing the row marker in a partially raised position;

FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 2 with the row marker in a still higher partially raised position and showing the width that would be required if the end arm did not completely fold to a vertical position;

FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 1 with the row marker in its fully raised and folded transport position with th end arm in its vertical position; and

FIG. 5 is a plan view of FIG. 1 taken in the direction of arrows VV, with certain portions omitted.

3,072,200 Patented Jan. 8, 1963 Invention Generally Referring to FIG. 1 a marker indicated generally by arrow 2 is shown with its main arm 4 and end arm 6 in extended position. End arm 6 contains a slot 8 that is horizontal in the extended position. Rod 10 engages the narrow wall 12 (FIG. 4) of the slot and will prevent free downward movement of the end arm 6 as it is folded to prevent marker disk 14 from dragging along the ground. As folding continues slot 8 will rotate until it reaches a vertical position (FIGS. 3 and 4) and will free or disengage itself of rod 10. At this point (FIG. 3), end arm 6 will be free to move to a substantially vertical position (FIG. 4).

This invention also contemplates providing rod 10 with a spring 16 that will permit the marker disk to oat, but will not let it drag on the ground when being folded. Spring 16 is strong and is not compressed by the weight of the end arm 6 alone (FIGS. 2, 3 and 4). Spring 16 and rod 10 act as a solid or rigid member when row marker 2 is being folded. However, the combined weight of the main arm 4 and end arm 6 when they are extended (FIG. 1), is enough to compress the spring so these members can float vertically.

Inventgn Specifically' Referring to the figures generally, a marker 2 has its inner end 18 pivotally connected to a support 20. The marker can be folded and unfolded like a knee. It is extended laterally from the support for marking purposes.

The marker comprises:

(1) A support 20;

(2) Main arm 4;

(3) Means 22 connecting main arm 4 to support 20;

(4) An end arm 6;

(5) Means 24 pivotally connecting end arm 6 to main arm 4;

(6) A connecting member 10;

(7) Means 26 connecting one end of connecting member 10 to support 20; and

(8) Means 28 (FIG. 5) connecting the other end of connecting member 10 to end arm 6.

Support 20 is carried by tool bar 30 and includes: tower 32 and bracket 34 detachably clamped to the end of tool bar 30 by means of plate 36 and bolts 38.

A Bracket 34 has downturned ears.

Main arm 4 (FIG. 5) is made up of a pair of square tubes 40, 40 that are laterally spaced and converge toward outer end 42 of the arm. Cross Vbraces 44 rigidly unite the tubes 40, 40. Braces `44, 44 extend beyond the ends thereof to provide projecting ears or extension 46.

Means 22 in the form of bolts pivotally connect main arm 4 to the downturned ears of bracket 34.

End arm 6 comprises telescopically associated sections 48 and 50, pivot or trunnion member 52, and abutment member 54. Section 50 supports a marker element, preferably in the form of a rotatable disk 14. The sections 48 and 50 are adjustably connected by clamping means 56. Fixed to section 43 by bolts 58 is a pivot member 52 (FIG. 5). The pivot member has projections 62, 62 (FIG. 5).

Fixed to pivot member 52 also by means of bolts 58, 58 (FIG. l) is abutment member 54. Free end 64 of abutment member 54 is bent downwardly so that the end will contact a resilient bumper member 66 comprising a button carried by a spring member xed to main arm 4. This bumper member acts as a resilient one Way limit stop to prevent wear and damage to the marker parts when the marker arms are extended.

Means 24, in the form of a pivot bolt, connects end arm 4 to main arm 6. The bolt extends through extension 46, 46 of main arm 4.

Means in the form of a connecting member or rod 1i) having ends 68, 70 interconnects end arm 6 to support 20.

End 68 of rod 16 is pivotally and resiliently secured toV support 20` by means 26 in the form of bracket 72, resilient means 16 in the form of a compression spring, stop member or nuts 74, and pivot member 76. End 68 of rod is slidably received in bracket 72 pivotally mounted on tower 32 of support 20. Rod 1i) extends beyond bracket 72 and carries compression spring '16 between bracket 72 and nuts 74. The stop members are adjustable along rod 10 to vary the force spring 16 exerts against bracket 72 and the stop member 74.

End 70 of rod 1i) is pivotally and slidably connected to abutment 54. Free end 64 of abutment 54 is provided with a slot 8 having an abutment wall 12. Slot 8 receives Vend 70 of rod 10, and means 28 (FIG. 5) in the form of a washer and Cotter pin are provided to pivotally and slidably connect end 70 of rod 10 to end arm 6. Nuts 74 on end 68 of rod 10 are normally adjusted so that end 70` of rod 10 will be in the inner end 12 of slot 8, yet free of any preload when the marker is in its extended position.

Spring 16-is made strong so it will not be compressed by the vweight of end arm 6 alone. When raising end arm 6 the spring acts like a solid member and cooperates with rod 10 to prevent inward swinging of end arm 6 due to its own weight.

Latch 78 is pivotally mounted on tower 32 also by pivot means 7 6. Gravity maintains latch 78 in its lowered position. The latch has a cam surface 80 that is engaged by brace 82 iixed to main arm 4 by means such as welding. Brace 82 raises the latch, and shoulder 84 (FIG. 2) on the latch holds the marker arm raised. A stop 86 is carried by latch 78 and limits the lowering movement thereof when the latch is not engaged.

A trip cord 88 is attached to latch 78 and extends over upper pulley 90 carried by tower 32. .The cord can be positioned next to the operators seat on the tractor (not shown), so that the latch can be released when desired.

Marker 2 is raised by means of cable 92 connected to main arm `4. The cable is positioned to pass over lower pulley 94 supported by tower 32. 'Either automatic or manual means can be provided to tension or pull the cable to .raise the marker. As an example of an automatic arrangement, the cable could be connected so that it is provided with slack when the implement is lowered to ground working position, and tensioned to. raise the marker when the implement is raised to its transport position.

. Operation The operation of the marker will be more easily understood if tirst it is explained what would happen if the marker ywere raised and there were no means l(28, 10, 26) provided to prevent lfree downward movement of end arm 6. Referring to FIG. 2, there would lbe nothing to prevent clockwise rotation about pivot 24 and end arm 6 would drag along the ground as main arm 4 is raised. This would continue until the main arm is raised high enough to lift end arm 6 off the ground.

With the means that prevents free Vdownward movement, the above does not happen. To raise marker 2 from its extended position in contact with the ground, cable 92 is tensioned. This pivots main arm 4 vertically upward. When main arm 4 starts to lift, end 70 of rod It) contacts the narrow abutment wall 12 at the inner end of slot 8 (FIGS. l, 2 and 3). Rod end 76 prevents end arm 6 from moving freely downward under its own weight.

As main Aarm `4 continues to raise (FIG. 2), the end arm 6 will clear the ground. This control is accomplished through the coaction of end 7@ -oi rod It) and pivot point 24 of main arm 4. Comparing FIGS. l, 2, 3 and 4, for example, it will be noted that the relative position of end 70 of rod 10 and the pivot point 24 of main arm 4 changes. That is, in FIG. l the pivot point 24 extends further to the left than does the end 7i) of rod 10. However, as the marker is raised (FIGS. 2, 3 and 4), the two points approach each other. And, when main arm 4 is in the folded position shown in FIG. 4, end 76 of rod 16 extends further to the left than does pivot point 24. It is this relative movement between these two points that controls the movement of the end arm.

It will be noted that during this raising movement, cable 92 will support the weight of main arm 4 so that spring 16 supports only the weight of end arm 6. As mentioned previously, spring 16 is strong and is not compressed by the weight of end arm 6. Thus, the spring acts like a rigid member and cooperates with rod 10 to prevent inward swinging of end arm 6 due to its own weight, which would happen if spring 16 were compressed by the weight of end arm 6.

As main arm is further raised, end arm 6 Will continue to rotate about pivot point 24 until slot 8 is vertical as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. It will be noted that up until this predetermined position, the walls of slot 8 prevented the end arm from moving relative to rod end '70. However, in this raised position, end arm 6 has placed abutment wall 12 in a position where it disengages from rod end 70. Arm 6 can now rotate and move abutment wall 12 away from rod end 70 so end arm 6 can swing free under its own weight into the vertical, completely folded position as shown in FIG. 4.

When main arm 4 has reached its maximum folded position, brace 82 will cam Ithe latch 78 upwardly until the brace is caught by shoulder 84 to hold marker 2 in its folded position.

When lowering marker 2 into its operating position, latch member 78 is released and the cable is slacked oil, allowing marker 2 to pivot downwardly and laterally.

As main arm 4 pivots downwardly, the relationship of rod 10 to slot S will change causing end '70 of rod 1t) to abruptly slide against the upper abutment wall 12 of slot `3. This quickly increases the lever arm and accelerates the outward pivotal movement of end arm 6. Thus assuring that the marker sections Will be almost completely extended when the marker disks contact the ground.

When the arms are in the extended position, cable 92 is left slack and the combined weights of arms 4 and 6 are sutlicient to compress spring 16 to permit said main arm and end arm to float as a unit relative to support 20 so the marker disk can follow the contour of the ground. It is noted that while the spring is compressed if the marker disk moves in a depression, the spring is not compressed under normal operation. As mentioned previously, nuts 74 are adiusted so the inner wall of slot 12 is freeof preload when the marker is extended. As such lthere is no tendency of the spring to limit the ability of the marker disk to follow the contour of the ground.

In Summary This invention provides a marker:

( l) That can float and still be compactly folded;

(2) That can float and yet be folded without dragging the marker disk along the ground; and

(3) That'is simple in construction.

It is noted that while the terms vertical and horizontal are used Vin describing the position of slot 11, the terms are used in their broad sense in comparing one position to the other.

Although but a'single embodiment of the present invention has been illustrated and described, it will be ap` parent to one skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from the invention as defined inthe appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. in row marker, the combination comprising: a support; a arm; means pivotally connecting said main arm to said support; an end arm; means pivotally connecting said end arm to said main arm; said end arm including an abutment nember having abutment wall; a connectin g member; means pivotally connecting one end of said connecting member to said support; means connectiug the other end of said connecting member to said abutment member when said row marker is extended; said connecting member being positioned to engage said abutment wali during upward movement of said main arm to prevent free downward movement of said end arm; and, said end arm when raised to a predetermined position, locating said abutment wall in a position where it disengages from said connecting member to permit said end arm to move to a vertical position.

2. A device as set forth in claim 1 wherein said means pivotally connecting said connecting member to said support includes a resilient connection to permit said main arm and end arm to fioat as a unit, when in extended position.

3. A device as set forth in claim 1 wherein said abutment wall is the wall of an opening in said abutment member, and said connecting member is received in said opening.

ln a row marker, the combination comprising: a support; a main arm; means pivotally connecting said main arm `to said support; an end arm; means pivotally connecting said end arm to said main arm; said end arm including a slot having a narrow abutment wall; a connecting member; means pivotally connecting one end of said connecting member to said support; means pivotally connecting the other end of said connecting member in said slot for sliding movement; said end arm when in extended position disposing said slot horizontally with said connecting member engaging the narrow abutment wall of said slot; said connecting member engaging said abutment wall of said slot during upward movement of said main arm to prevent free downward movement of said end arm; and, said end arm when raised to a predetermined position disposing said slot vertically to disengage said abutment wall from said connecting member and permit said end arm to move relative to said connecting member.

5. A device as set forth in claim 4 wherein said means pivotally connecting said connecting member to said support includes a resilient connection to permit said main arm and end arm to oat as a unit, when in extended position.

6. A device as set forth in claim 5, wherein said connecting member is a rod; and, said means pivotally connecting said connecting member to said support includes a bracket member pivotally connected to said support and slidably receiving said rod, a stop member carried by the free end of said rod; and, said resilient connection is a spring carried by said rod and positioned between said bracket member and said stop member.

7. In a row marker, the combination comprising: a support; a main arm; means pivotally connecting said main arm to said support; an end arm; means pivotally connecting said end arm to said main arm; a connecting member, means pivotally and resiliently connecting one end of said connecting member to said support; means pivotally and slidably connecting the other end of said connecting member to said end arm; said resilient means downward folding movement of said end arm until saidA end arm reaches a predetermined position.

8. A device as set forth in ciaim 7 wherein said connesting member is a rod; and, said means pivotally and iesiiiently connecting said connecting member to said support ineiudes a bracket member pivotaily connected to said support and slidably receiving said rod, a stop member carried by the free end or" said rod, a a spring carried by said rod and positioned betw :n said bracket member and said stop member.

9. A device as set forth in claim S wher i said stop member is adjustable along said rod to vary the force said spring exerts against said bracket member and said stop member.

10. In a row marker, the combination comprising: a support; a main arm; means pivotally connecting said main arm to said support; an end arm; means pivotaily connecting said end arm to said main arm; means pivotally and resiliently connecting said end arm to said support, said last means permitting said main arm and end arm to oat as a unit relative to said support when they are in extended position, and acting as a rigid member to prevent free downward movement of said end arm during upward movement of said main arm.

11. A device as set forth in claim 10 wherein said main arm is provided with a resilient bumper member that is engaged by said end arm, when said arms reacli their extended position.

12. In a row marker, the combination comprising: a support; a main arm; means pivotally connecting said main arm to said support; an end arm; :means pivotally connecting said end arm to said main arm; said end arm containing a slot having a narrow abutment wall that is positioned horizontally when said end arm is extended; a rod; means pivotally connecting one end of said rod to said support, said last means including a spring; means pivotally connecting the other end of said rod in said slot for sliding movement, said other end of said rod engaging said narrow abutment wall of said slot when said main arm and end arm are in extended position, said spring cooperating with said rod to permit doating movement of said main arm and end arm as a unit relative to said support; said rod and spring acting as a rigid member during upward movement of said main arm, to prevent free downward movement of said end arm; said end arm as it is raised positioning said slot in a vertical position and moving said slot abutment wall away from said rod end to free said end arm for movement to a vertical position.

13. A device as set forth in claim 12 wherein said main arm is provided with a resilient bumper member that is engaged by said end arm when said arms reach their extended position.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,911,218 White May 30, 1933 2,046,466 Kolterman July 7, 1936 2,175,282 Cormany Oct. 10, 1939 2,832,183 Pittman Apr. 29, 1958 

1. IN A ROW MARKER, THE COMBINATION COMPRISING: A SUPPORT; A MAIN ARM; MEANS PIVOTALLY CONNECTING SAID MAIN ARM TO SAID SUPPORT; AN END ARM; MEANS PIVOTALLY CONNECTING SAID END ARM TO SAID MAIN ARM; SAID END ARM INCLUDING AN ABUTMENT MEMBER HAVING AN ABUTEMENT WALL; A CONNECTING MEMBER; MEANS PIVOTALLY CONNECTING ONE END OF SAID CONNECTING MEMBER TO SAID SUPPORT; MEANS CONNECTING THE OTHER END OF SAID CONNECTING MEMBER TO SAID ABUTMENT MEMBER WHEN SAID ROW MARKER IS EXTENDED; SAID CONNECTING MEMBER BEING POSITIONED TO ENGAGE SAID ABUTMENT WALL DURING UPWARD MOVEMENT OF SAID MAIN ARM TO PREVENT FREE DOWNWARD MOVEMENT OF SAID END ARM; AND, SAID END ARM WHEN RAISED TO A PREDETERMINED POSITION, LOCATING SAID ABUTMENT WALL IN A POSITION WHERE IT DISENGAGES FROM SAID CONNECTING MEMBER TO PERMIT SAID END ARM TO MOVE TO A VERTICAL POSITION. 